Page 15 of Totally Fanatic

“Oh, crap.”

“What?”

“I forgot to ask if he likes cats.”

“I didn’t bring the cats.”

“I know that, but what if he’s a dog person?”

“You aren’t allowed to bring dogs into the stadium, either. I mean, unless they are dogs for people who need help, like to see and stuff. Does this guy need help to see? I can meet him at the gate and help him to the seat. I wouldn’t want him to trip down the stairs.”

“Lion, he’s not blind, or at least I don’t think he is. But he’ll meet you at the seat, just… keep an open mind about this guy. I don’t like you being all alone with your cats.

“How am I alone if I am with my cats? The cats are there?”

“I… Never mind. Have a great time.”

“I will.”

There was no doubt in my mind that I would have an amazing time. I’m fourth row back from the right field side. Tim’s side.

***

When I get to the seats, Chad is already waiting for me, and when he spots me making my way past the people to get to my seat, he stands and grins.

“Hey, I’m Chad. It’s really great of you to offer up a ticket like this. You could have sold it for so much more.”

“I got a pair of seats from my sister and brother for my birthday. I wouldn’t want the team to think that there was a no-show to one of their games, so my sister set up the chat to find people who missed out on tickets, and I didn’t want to profit off them.”

“So, you didn’t break up with your girlfriend then?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Me neither.”

The crowd starts to cheer, and I turn to see the players headed down the stairs between the seats.

“This is so cool.” Chad beams from beside me. It really is. Tim jogs down the stairs with Pat and Ryan before him. There is a guy with a camera ahead of them, carefully moving backward and recording them the whole time. On the gigantic screen on the left of the field, the camera’s shots feed in and flick between each group of players making their way down.

Music begins, and the players start amping up the crowd to clap in time with them to the beat. I raise my hands above my head and join in, watching Tim the whole time as he steps past us, his gaze meets mine, and I wave. And my stomach flips again when he smiles at me and then follows Ryan and Pat toward the field, joining the players in their opening number.

Chad is already two beers in, and he wraps his arm over my shoulder as we stand and sway along with the crowd to the opening music. It’s great being surrounded by people who love this game as much as I do, and Chad is definitely one of those people. He’s thanked me about fifty times since we sat down and keeps grabbing my arm, and practically hugging me in hisexcitement. He reminds me of how little kids get when they see Mary Beth’s candy sticks in the display. Mouse really did choose the right guy to offer the ticket to.

Ryan steps up to the mound to throw the first pitch as the players fan out into positions and the rest head into the dugout.

Tim is right in front of us, and when the first ball is sent flying our direction and he catches it for the first out, I’m on my feet again.

“Wooo, go Tim!” I cheer, and he tosses the ball back to Ryan and turns and smiles my way, only then I’m sure I see him frown a little before his attention is back on the game. Maybe he doesn’t want me to call out his name. I was probably distracting him. They could have pitched the next ball, and he would have missed it if he wasn’t paying attention, and then it would have been all my fault.

“So, what else do you like to do besides come to Banana Ball games?” Chad asks, leaning in close to be heard over the general buzz of the crowd.

“I go to the gym with some friends. We go hiking sometimes, too. I also take out the boys.”

“The boys?”

“My cats, King, Reynolds, Chip and Daffin. They don’t much like being on a lead, but I got this netted seat attachment for my bike, and they like to be outdoors, so we go on rides around Savannah sometimes.”

“With your cats?”

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